SOS mark 2

Sparkly Donkey - 10 posts

2009-12-11 21:11:51

Blimey - even Jane Rowe posts under a pseudonym now! Lower, guaranteed standardised costs for manufacturers, charge dealers for entry, new location, different format for biz experience, etc. Hang on, this isn't my job - over to Jane.

AndyWhyte - 35 posts

2009-12-11 22:59:53

Charge dealers for entry? - Can't see that working. Dealers would get the right hump and boycott going.

Jane Rowe - 2 posts

2009-12-11 23:38:56

Andy, I totally agree. Our objective is to add value to the dealer proposition. And any constructive feedback is welcomed as to how 'dealers and suppliers' could get more out of the show. We are addressing this in the Spicers UK LinkedIn Forum and directly with many dealers, in addition to our Vendor Advisory Forum. Please note, I do not not see the need to post under pseudonym(s).

Tristen @ Prima - 7 posts

2009-12-13 13:24:47

I definately found our stand was busier on the second day, did the foot fall back that up?

I was informed on a couple of separate occasions that both supplier and dealer numbers were down from previous years.

From a supplier perspective I found the whole experience far less well organised than on previous occasions. From the lack of coffee available before the show opened on the first day(petty I know but important for us guys!).

The subsequent queues and lack of lunch space available which meant there were not enough areas to 'talk shop' over a coffee with our clients.

The show is now so expensive to attend (who wants to spend £200 on renting a table for two days???) many suppliers stayed away. Also being one of a handful of back office suppliers our potential 'audience' is actually much smaller than any of the suppliers who feature in the Spicers catalogue, why is this not recognised in the pricing?

With around 20% of the room empty of stands surely it would be a better show having more suppliers at a reduced stepped rate.

The Tuesday evening was well attended however who did the table plans? As much as I love the teams from ECI2 and Spicers I.T why sit us all on the same table? Maybe there were not enough dealers in attendance, I spoke to one dealer at the show who said 'I didn't get an invite to the evening I would have loved to come'.

I am a strong believer in supporting our industry at both dealer and supplier levels however pricing must not be so prohibitive.

Sparkly Donkey - 10 posts

2009-12-13 17:13:10

Apologies - I should explain. My comment about charging dealers a nominal entry fee was a little tongue in cheek, however it would ensure dealers recognised the value of the event and maybe keep out the freebie grabbers! In seriousness, I enjoyed the show, I always do, but numbers seemed a little light, plus I agree that the organisation seemed less well, organised, than previous years. Spicers senior management team seemed a bit aloof as well - probably would have been better to make a point of pressing the flesh with some of the mere mortals, not just industry "high flyers". But, still better than SOPX and Evolve.